El Paso Electric consulting and training

I have been a consultant to El Paso Electric since 2000. My initial assignment was to assist the Environmental Affairs Department in updating their asbestos management program and documentation, followed by asbestos awareness training for all employees in the powerplants, transmission and distribution, and others who might come in contact with asbestos-containing materials in the course of their work. During this time I advised the company on methods of reducing exposure during asbestos gasket cutting and removal operations.

In 2004 the company asked me to develop a procedure for inspecting cables in Transite ducts encased in buried concrete slabs when damage may occur during excavation by contractors. I have been training workers annually on this procedure and also providing respirator training and fit testing. One of the hands-on exercises is shown in the picture using a simulated slab and buried (non-asbestos) ducts). The procedure that the workers are trained on has been incorporated as an appendix in the ASTM ASTM E2394 Standard Practice for Maintenance, Renovation and Repair of Installed Asbestos Cement Products.